Palestinians sign up to join International Criminal Court

Eight members of the 15-strong Security Council voted for that resolution, while the US and Australia voted against. The resolution, condemned by Israel as a “gimmick”, needed the support of at least nine members in order to pass. The Rome Statue was among some 20 international agreements signed by Mr Abbas at the meeting in Ramallah, in the West Bank. Signing up to the statute is seen as the first move to joining the ICC. “We want to complain. There’s aggression against us, against our land,” Mr Abbas was quoted as saying. “The Security Council disappointed us.” Palestinians warm themselves by a fire near the ruins of houses which witnesses said were destroyed by Israeli shelling during the most recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded quickly,



saying Israel would take “steps in response and defend Israel’s soldiers”. Israel, which is not a member of the ICC and does not recognise its jurisdiction, says joining the court would expose the Palestinians to prosecution.

“It is the Palestinian Authority – which is in a unity government with Hamas, an avowed terrorist organisation that, like ISIS, perpetrates war crimes – that needs to be concerned about the International Criminal Court in the Hague,” Mr Netanyahu said in a statement. Mr Abbas had been under increasing domestic pressure following months of heightened tension and violence after the collapse of peace talks in April. More than 2,100 people, mostly Palestinians, died in a 50-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in the summer, according to UN figures. Israel said 67 of its troops and six civilians died.

Analysts say signing the Rome Statue could stir up tensions with the US and other major donors to the Palestinian Authority – as well as a response from Israel.

Based in The Hague, the ICC can prosecute individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed since 1 July 2002, when the Rome Statute came into force. Earlier this year Mr Abbas signed applications by the “State of Palestine” to join 15 UN treaties and conventions, beginning with the Fourth Geneva Convention.